Government opens tenders for cyclone shelter scheme

Tenders have opened for the Queensland Government's $60 million cyclone shelter program.

Building Industry Minister Simon Finn says more than 20 contractors, with offices in Cairns, Weipa, Innisfail, Townsville, Mackay and Rockhampton, have been selected to tender for eight of the 10 multi-purpose public cyclone shelters.

Half of the funding for the new shelters is being provided through a donation from Abu Dhabi.

The contracts are expected to be awarded before the end of the year and all 10 shelters are due for completion in time for the 2012-13 cyclone season.

However, the State Opposition has criticised the Government for not having the work done sooner.

But Mr Finn rejects the timing criticism.

"We're building shelters that need to be able to withstand category five cyclones, so we need to get them right," Mr Finn said.

"It takes just a little bit of time to build a cyclone shelter - they don't just bolt together in pre-fabricated kits.

"What I would say is the Opposition have released an infrastructure plan for Queensland that does not include any cyclone shelters - not in 2012, not in 2013, not ever."